Vulcanizing-press.



J. R. GAMMETER.

VULCANIZING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED N0v.3,1910.

1,064,721 Patented June 1'?, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1. i Izzy. 1.

o h/Lea eo:

J. R. GAMMETER.

VULCANIZING PRESS.

APPLIQATION FILED Nov. s, 1910.

1,064,721 Patented June 17, 1913,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. J6 .4. 5; J6 J8 9 J5? 516 *Z9 J4 /Je @5 J7 r\ "9 of? 20 J3 g Il J4 Y a Q a 3 er? UNITED i STATES PATENT oEEioE.

SOHN B, GAMMETER, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE QB. F. GOODRICH COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

VULCANIZING-PRESS.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1 7, 1913.

Application led November 3. 1910. Serial No. 590,413.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN R. GAMMr/r-ER, residing in the City of Akron, county ot Summit, und State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vulcunizirig-Presses, ot' which the following is a. specification. I

This invention relates to vuleunizing presses' designed primarily for the vulcanizution of articles of rubber, and is purticw lurly adapted to presses of the vertical type, in whieh a. number of molds containing rubber tires or .similar articles are retained and vulcanized at one operation. Presses of this nnture no heretofore constructed have coniprised :i shell in which the molds ure oontuined und subjected to the action of stczim, this shell being closed ut the top by u cover which muy 'oe removed to permit the charge und 'lischnrge of the press. Means have been provided for supportingl u. number of the tire Inolds one nhove the other within the shell, for lifting the cover from the shell, for lifting the molds out oi the shell und lowering them thereinto, and for compressing the molds within the shell to hold them closed during the vulcnnizinir process.

In many forms of vuleanizers ne heretofore constructed hydraulic ruins have been used for performing these various functions. A. .separate ruin or set of ruins luis ordinarily been found necessary 'for the carrying out of each of these operations. In iny present invention, however, .l utilize but :t single ruin, which lifts the cover und disl'fhurges the molds, und/Clamps the lutter Closed durl ing the vulcanizing operation. My invention contemplates the provision of a struc ture by which such :t result is obtainable, thereby achieving greater simplicity and lese cost of manufacture und operation than hun heretofore been possible. und in the provision of Certain details of structure, its will be hereinafter more fully set toi-th.

In the accompanying drawings, which torni a. part of this` speoiioution, Figure l is n view partly in vertical section and partly in side elevation ot' u vulcuniiaer embodying; my invention, .the parts being shown in poeition for Charging and dis-- charging the sume; Fig. Q is a view partly in plan und partly in horizontal section. .showing the cover in unlocked position und the plunger head operatively connected with he cover und moldearrying frame; Fig. 3

is :i view similar to Fig. Q, the Cover und. wohl-carrying freine being shown rotated in order to lock the former, und disengage the lutter from the plunger head; Fig. 4; is u view partly in vertical section and partly in elevation of the parte shown in Big. 1, hut taken at right angles from the position at which Fig. -1 is taken, the parts being in the position shown in Fig. 2,tht iS, With the cover unlocked and the plunger head in engagementY with the supporting frame, ready to litt the hitter, the cover and the molds; Fig. 5 is a. view similar to Fig. 1, the parte beine shown in the position illustrailed in Fig. Si, the cover being locked in ,position and the molds being compressed etvueen the suine and the plunger head.

n these drawings I have illustrated hut one specific modification of my invention, but I do not wish to be limited to the exact structure therein shown, as this. invention may be embodied in preeses of various other forms.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral l designate the shell or Casin of the. vuleanizer, which has riveted or Qt erwiee suitably eeoured to its lower end a massive )flanged ring 2, which rests upon the been plate 3 which su ports the vulcanizer. The eylinder 4 of the. iydraulie ram is provided with a Bange which rests upon the flanged portion ot the ring 2. A plunger 6 works in the cylinder 4, a suitable peeking devite boing provided to prevent. leakage. The plunger t3 is irovided at its upper end with :in enlarged head i' which will he more fully described hereinafter. The upper end or the sheli i has secured to it e ring 8 liu-ving in its inner fece a groove 9, the upper wall of the groove being notched as indicated :it l0, the remainder 0f the Wall forming a series of inwardly projecting lugs 1l.

12. is; the cover of the vuleanizing chamber. this being preferably formed of cast metall providedwith depending strengthening webs; i3 which engage the uppermost mold during the vulcunizing operation, and, in addition to their strengthening action, permit the free circulation of steam above the mold. The cover il is provided with a series oi rudiully projecting lugs 14 adapted to pues through the notches 10, when being applied or removed and, when the cover is rotated through n fraction of u revolution,

discharging of the press,

to engage beneath the lugs 11. A slight rotation of the cover thus serves to lock or unlock the same. The engaging faces cf lugs 11 and 14 are preferably inclined slightly in order thatI a wedging action may be produced when the cover is locked in position to force it upon its seat 15. Suitable packing may be interposed to seal the joint between the cover and the ring 8, if found necessary. The. cover is preferably provided with means for turning the same, such as one or more gear segments 16 engaged by the pinions 17 journaled upon the ring 8 secured to the shell. For rotating the pinions the latter may be provided with upwardly projecting hubs 18 perforated at 19 for the reception of bars or other suitable means for turning the same. Depending from the cover 12 is a frame adapted to support the molds 20 during the charging and this frame also being utilized to lift the' cover. The frame preferably comprises four rods 21 provided with collars 22 which engage beneath the cover, and nuts 23 screwed on the upper end of the rods and engaging the top of the cover. The lower ends of the rods are joined by a horizontal ring or frame 24.

A pair of racks 25 are supported one between each pair of the rods 21, the upper ends of these racks being bolted to the cover and their lower ends to the ring 24. These racks are provided with one or more series of steps or shoulders 26 adapted to be engaged by portions of mold-carrying grids or trays 27, the trays 'being provided with eyes 28 through which the rods 21 pass. The grids or trays are maintained in vertical alinement by these rods and are prevented from dropping, each below a predetermined position, by means of suitable stops with which each is provided, adapted to engage corresponding pairs of shoulders on the racks 25. The grids or trays are, however, free to move upwardly toward the cover 12 in order to permit the molds which are interposed between them to be subjected to compression by the ram G or to permit some of the grids to be brought into contact in case it is desired to operate the press at less than its full capacity. The construction and mode of operation of these racks and trays is fully illustrated and described in United States Letters Patent munter 758,863, famed May 3, 1904, to Edwin Coupland ghaw, and their o eration need not be morefully set forth herein. This structure, while advantageously used with my invention, is not an essential part thereof, and may in some cases be dispensed with.

In order that the ram may be free at proper times to compress the molds between the plunger head and the cover, and at other times to be utilized to remove the cover and to lift the molds from the vulcanizing chamber, means are provided for separably connecting the plunger head with the cover and mold-carrying frame. The construction I use for this purpose is preferably as follows: The plunger head 7 has projecting from it, preferably at diametrically opposite points, a. pair of slotted lugs or hooks 29, the plunger head being prevented from rotation by means of vertical guide bars 30 secured to the inner surface of the shell 1 between which the ends .of the lugs or hooks 29 slide. Any other suitable means may be used for this purpose if desired. Collars 3l are provided near the lower ends of two of the rods 21, beneath which the lugs or hooks 29 engage when the cover and rods depending therefrom are rotated. The lugs or hooks are so located that when the cover is rotated so that its locking lugs 14 are disengaged from the lug 11 and are free to be lifted through the notches or slots 10, the rods 21 will be moved into the openings or slots in the hooks or lugs 29 and the co-llars 31 will rest upon these hooks or lugs. The movement of the cover to unlock the same therefore automatically causes the cover and mold-carrying frame to be engaged with the plunger head. This is the position of the parts shown in F igs.2 and 4.l As will be obvious, the

plunger may now be raised, carrying with it the rods 21, cover 12, racks 25, grids or trays 27, 'each supported by its proper set of shoulders thereon, and the molds 20 resting thereon, as shown in Fig. 1. The molds may then be removed laterally, one at a time, as they are brought up to a level'with the loading and unloading table 32. When the molds have all been discharged new ones may be placed upon the trays or grids in a similar manner, after which the plunger may be lowered until the parts are again in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4, when the cover is rotated in the position shown in Fig. 3. This action locks the latter in place, and also moves the depending frame so that it is disengaged from the plunger head, as indicated in the left-hand side of Fig. 3. The plunger head is now free to be forced upwardly between the bars 21 and racks 25 and caused to compress the several molds against the under-side of the cover, as indcated in Fig. 5. While in this position steam is forced into the vulcanizing chamber and the vulcanizing operation performed. The plunger may then be lowered and again connected to the frame, as above described, in order that it may be utilized to discharge the molds. from the press.

In Fig. 4 I have' shown a typical mold in section containing a casing or shoe for a pneumatic tire. The mold illustrated comprises apair of mold parts 33 suitably shaped to receive the tire casing, aring or core 34 being utilized to support the interior ofthecasing. As Will be obvious, however, the press may be used with molds of other kinds adapted for the vulcanization of other articles than tires. .As is well understood in the art, presses of the type here described are designed to hold one or more multiple part molds during the vulcanizing operation, the pressure exerted by the press serving to retain the parts of the mold together against the force due to the tendencyy to expand of the article being vulcanized in the mold. The necessity for the use of bolts or other fastening devices for securing the parts of the mold together is thus obviated.

While I have shown a vulcanizing press having but a.V single hydraulic ram for performing the several functions referred to, and have so described my press throughout, it is to be understood that I may, if desired, use a plurality of rams acting in unison, or any means capable of reciprocating a pressure member. g

Having thus described one preferred embodiment of my invention, but Without desiring to limit myself to the details thereof, I claim:

1. In a vulcanizing press, a vulcanizing chamber, a mold-carrying frame therein, unitary means for moving said frame from and into the chamber and for ressing the mold carried thereby, and independent means for supporting the said fram'e.A

2. In a vulcanizing press, in combination, a vulcanizing chamber, a cover therefor, and unitary means for compressing a mold containing an article to be vulcanized, moving said cover to a position permitting the dischargel of the mold, and lmoving said mold out of said chamber.

3. In a vulcanizing press, in combination, a vulcanizing chamber, a cover therefor, and unitary means for introducing a mold containing an article to be vulcanized into said chamber, moving said cover into osition to close .said chamber, subjecting said mold to pressure during the vulcanizing operation,

moving saideover to a position permitting.

the discharge of the mold and moving said mold out of said chamber.

4. Ina vulcanizing press, iii combination, a vulcanizing chamber, a cover therefor, and unitary means for subjecting a mold containing an article to be vulcanized to pressure during the vuleanizing operl tion, and for. moving said cover into a pbhition in which it closes said chamber or into a position permitting the discharge of the mold.

5. In a vuleanizing press, in combination, a vulcanizing chamber, a cover therefor, and a plunger adapted to compress a mold containing an article to'be vulcanized betweenV its face and said cover, said plunger acting also to move said cover to a position per-- mitting the discharge of the mold.

6. In a vulcanizing press, in combination,

a vulcanizing chamber, a plunger movable therein, a cover for said chamber, and means for detachabl)y connecting said cover to said plunger.

7. In a vulcanizing press, in combination, a vulcanizing chamber, a plunger movable therein, a mold -carrying frame in said chamber, and means for detachably connecting said plunger to said moldcarrying frame.

.8. In a vulcaiiizing press, in combination, a vulcanizing chamber, a plunger movable therein, a cover for said chamber, a moldcarrying frame carried by said cover, and means for detachably connecting said plunger to said mold-carrying frame.

9. In a vulcanizin press, in combination, a vulcanizing cham er, a cover therefor', means for locking said cover in position to close said chamber, a plunger movable in said chamber, and means for detachably connecting said cover to said plunger.

10. In a vulcanizing press, in combination, a vulcanizingchamber, a cover therefor, means for locking said cover in position to close said chamber, a plunger movable in said chamber, and means for detachably connecting said cover to said plunger, the

operation of said cover-locking-means causing the operation ot' the means-for connecting said cover and plunger.

1l. In a vulcanizing press, in combination,

a vulcanizing chamber, a cover therefor,

means for locking said cover in position to close said chamber, a plunger movable in said chamber, and means for disconnecting said cover' and plunger when said cover is' locked in said position.

V 12. In a vulcanizing press, in combination, a vulcanizing chamber, a plunger movable longitudinally thereof, but incapable of rotary movement therein, a cover for said chamber, means for locking said cover in position to close said chamber, and for u nlocking the same, said means being operable by the rotation of said cover, and means operable by the rotation of said cover for connecting the same to and disconnecting the same from said plunger.

13. In a vulcanizing press, in combination, a vulcanizing chamber, a plunger movable longitudinally thereof, but incapabie of rotation, a cover, and means operable by the rotation thereof for locking the same in position to close said chamber, a` mold-carrying frame supported by said cover and contained Within said chamber, and means operated by the rotation of said cover and moldcarrying frame for connecting said frame to and disconnecting it from said plunger.

14. In a vulcanizing press, in combination, a vuclanizing chamber, af plunger movable longitudinally therein, a cover for said chamber, a mold-carrying frame carried by saidk cover, interlocking means carried by said plunger and frame adapted to be unlocked or engaged by the relative rotation of said mold-carrying frame and plunger, and means for'causing relative rotation between said frame and plunger.

15. In a vertical vulcanizer press, in combination, a vulcanizing chamber, a plunger movable vertically therein, and having a. head at its upper end, a cover for said cham` ber, rods depending from said cover, and inter-engaging means on said plunger head and the lower ends of said rods, said plunger acting to move said rods and cover when said means are engaged.

16. In a vulcanizing press, in combination, a vulcanizing chamber, a plunger movable longitudinally therein, a cover for closj ing said chamber, a mold-carrying frame 'ger movable vertically'therein, a cover forv carried by said cover and projecting into said chamber, said plunger being movable within said frame to engage and compress a mold carried thereby between the face of said plunger and said cover, and means for causing said plunger Vto operate said frariie- 17. In a vulcanizing press, in combination, a vulcanizing chamber, a plunger movable therein, a mold-carrying frame supported in said chamber, said plunger normally being movable independently of said mold-carrying frame so as to compress the molds carried thereby, and means for cansclosing the upper end of said chamber,

Ameans for locking said cover in position toV close said chamber, aframe depending from said'cover, a plurality of trays carried by said frame, inter-engaging means on said frame Iand trays for individually determining the lower limit of movement of each tray, said trays being free to move upwardly with relation to said-frame, said plunger beingV normally free l.to move within said frame, and means for detachably connecting said frame t`o-said plungerto cause the latter when operated lto lift said frame. trays and cover fromsaid chamber.

20. In a vertical vulcanizing press, in combination, a vulcanizing chamber, a plunger movable verticallytherein?, a cover for closing the upper endI of said chamber, inter- Aengaging means for detachably connecting ,said frame to said plunger, operable by the notary movement of said frame.

21. In a vertical vulcanizing press, in combination, a vertically disposed hydraulic cylinder, a vulcanizin chamber shell mountf ed above the same, a p unger movable in said cylinder and having a head movable in Said shell, means for preventing relative rotary movement between the said plunger head and shell, a cover for closing the upper end of said shell, interlocking means carried by the upper end of said shell and cover, re- Spectively, operable by rotary movement of said cover with relation to said shell for locking and unlocking the same, rods clepending from said. cover, collars' on said rods, and slotted lugs projecting from said plunger headqadapted to be engaged by said rods and collars when said cover is rotated.

22. In a vertical vulcanizing press, in combination, a vulcanizing chamber, a plunger having a headmovable vertically therein, a coverA for closing the upper end of Said chamber,` a frame depending from said cover, a plurality of mold-carrying trays carried by said frame and freev to move upward withrelation thereto, interengaging means on said frame and trays for individually limiting the downward movement of each tray with relation to said frame, means operable by the relative rotation of said plunger head and frame for-detachably securing said plunger head and frame' together, and means4 for accomplishing such relative rotation. f

23. In a vulcanizing press, a lvulcanizing chamber shell, an internally grooved ring supported at one end thereof, the upper wall of said groove being notched, a .cover ,for closing the end of said shell having lugs projecting therefrom adapted to passthrtiigh the said notches and to engage with portions of said ring, and means for rotating said f cover, relatively to said ring, said means comprising a gearsegment carried by said cover and a pinion engaging therewith carried by said ring.

Q4. lIn a vulcanizing press, a vulcanizng chamber, a cover for closing the same, locking means carried by the walls of said chamber and said cover, respectively, operable by the rotation of said cover to lock said cover in position, Aand means for rotating said cover relatively to the walls of said chamber, said means comprising a gear segment carried by .said cover, a' pinion carried by the lwalls of said chamber and meshing with said segment, and means for rotating said pinion.

In a vulcanizing press, a shell, a lianged` ring secured to the lower end thereof, a cover for nlosinir the upper end of said shell, n'wans for detac ably securing said cover to said shell, a hydraulic cylinder depending below said Shell and havin a flange engaging the upper side of the {gangen} portion of l@aid ring, and a plunger movable in said cylinder and having a head movable within said shell.

26.-.11'1 a vuleanizngdpress, a shell, a ring secured to the lower en A an inwardly projecting flange, a hydraulic cylinder mountedy below said shell closed at its lower end and having an outwardly projecting flange near. its upper end, said flange thereof and having' f,

i l l resting upon the inwardly prnjerjmg irmge on said ring, :xml :s plunger n'orgfnyg Milne Said ryliznhr.

27. ln :1 mlmurizing We 'the '-onshnaliifm 0i a ,ulranixing wlmmlwr. a frame therein 'rzlrizving :i plus-.fili n? moldej uni irs' means for moving will frame relatively lo wild elnunhex :xml for umringt ihr mold mirried by mid frame relatively o ii. und iie'epem ent menus for supmrlugf auf frame.

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